Circuit make-and-break apparatus



Feb. 5, 1929.

s. SEABERG CIRCUIT MAKE AND BREAK APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOR. S SEABERG.

A TTORNE Y.

S.- SEABERG Filed March 27, 1925 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. S SEABERG.

A TTORNEY.

Feb. 5, 1929.

cmcun' MAKE'AND BREAK APPARATUS W f. P 4

Feb. 5, 1929. 1,700,910

5. SEABERG CIRCUIT MAKE AND BREAK APPARATUS Filed March 27, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 5, 1929.

UNETED STATES PATE T.

PORATION, 0F moLrNE, 'rrmmors, A CORPORATION orILLINoIs;

CIRCUIT MAKE-AND-BREAK APPARATUS.

Application filed. March 27, 1925. Serial No. 18,507.

My invention relates to improvements in switching means for electrical circuits and in actuating means therefor, the same beingmore especially concerned with electromagnct-ically actuated; mechanism, and among the ob ects of my invention are to improve upon circuit make and breakapparatus for controlling intermittently operatedelectrical cir-.

cuits; to provide improved switching mechanism in electric current control means; to provide improved actuating 'mechanism .for

electric switches; to provide means whereby any desired number of switches may be operated; to provide means whereby electric switches may be operated in any time relation desired; and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will hereafter more fullyparts illustrated in the accompanying draw ing, and, whileI have shown therein a .pre-

ferred form of execution of my invention, I

desire the same to be understood as illustrative only and not as limiting my invention. In the drawings annexed hereto and forming a part hereof, Fig. 1 is the front elevation of a structure embodying -my present improvements; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section substantially along the plane indicated by the line 22 Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a simila 1' sectional elevation substantially along the plane indicated by the line 3-3 Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar view substantially along the plane indicated byline 4-4 Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a similar view substantially along the plane indicated by the line 5 5 Fig. 1; Fig. (3 is a similar view substantially along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 Fig. 3; and Fig. 7

is a circuit diagram.

Referring more in (letail'to the annexed drawings the insulating panel or base member is designated by the numeral 1 while numerals 2 and 3 designate electromagnetic coils having cores 4. and 5, respectively. Preferably these cores are built up of laminations of soft iron so that there will be a minimum amount of residual magnetism remaining therein when the current is cut of? from the respective coils 2 and 3. One terminal 6 of the coil 2 is connected with a flexible connec'tor 7 which in turn connected with a pivoted switch member 8. "This'latter carries a contact 9 which engages an adjustable con tact 10 carried by a bracket 11 mounted upon the panel 1. The pivoted switch ari'n figcarrics at one end a polepicoe 12, 0f T ySuitable form, which is attracted by the laminatedcore 5 of the coil 3 when current flows-thereso through. I he terminals of the co il 3 are connected respectively to the bracketll and toan angularframe 13 which is adjustable by means of the screw 14; whichpasses through the slot 15 into the end of the core 5. -()ne arm of the angular nember 13.;has a spring element on the inner .face thereof toavhich; the terminal 13 of the coil 3- is connected. The sliding switch 17 is carried. by,a bracket 18 mounted upon panelland has-a reduced portion at its end in pron imityfto the member 13.- This' -reduced end portiont .extends through an opening'in themembeu13 and may come into contact with -tlie springimember carried by the {frame or be taken out of,con-

. tact therewith; ;,when the. switch bar-. 172; is

moved longitudinally;- along the bracket:- 18

in a direction-away froni the spring: An-ad j us'table' colla'r,19 makesit possible to iadj ust the switclrbar 17wso as tosecure theproper throw thereof.when'themachine is-in opera: tion.- A; flexible cable 20 is rigidly-secured to switch bar 1-7 and to thefbracl-:et;18 so as to reduce the amountot arcing between these parts when they are movedi-relatively to each other. Y Terminal 21 of coil 2 is-co-nnected to the bracket 18Jin any desired manner.

A frame 22 is rigidly snpportedupon the panel 1 and carires a walkingbeam 23 whichhas at its ends the pcle=pieces or armatures 9o 24 adapted to lie-attracted by the respective cores of the coils 2 and 3,.depending upon which one of thesecoils happens to be enorgized. The walking beam 23 carries a pair of projections 25 whiclrcooperate with the o5 collar 19 to cause the switch rod 17 to be reciprocated longitudinally. The projections 25 are spaced from each other-suflicientiy to permit considerable lost motion between them and the collar 19. so thatthewalking beam we may travel the major portion of its course before causing the switch bar 17 to be moved either out of or into contact with th'espring element mounted upon the angle mcmber13. Escapement mechanism is carried by the 0 frame 2-2 and controls therate of motion of the walking beam'23aswill be readily under stood.

A pair of brackets 26 and 27 carry 'the'rotatable rod 28 which has mounted thereon a plurality of ratchet wheels and cams for a purpose to be presently disclosed. A plurality of switch brackets 29 is mounted upon the panel 1 and each carries a contact 30 adjustably mounted therein. Each of these brackets has a bifurcated arm 31 in which is mounted an L shaped lever 32 having a port-ion 33 thereof constituted of insulating material. The other arm 34 of the lever 32 carries an adjustable member 35 which has a bifurcated end in which there is pivoted at 36 a roller which'rides upon the surface of a cam carried upon the shaft 28. The arm 34 of the lever 32 also carries a contact element 37 which engages with the contact 30 to complete the cir-.

cuit through the lead 38 to the binding post 39. The terminals 39 constitute the terminals of the controlled circuits. The terminal 40 is a common terminal for all three of the con trolled circuits.

Upon the shaft 28 are rigidly secured a pinrality of sleeves 41, preferably provided with flanges to which may be adjustably secured the cam members 42 and 43 or 44 and 45, these being relatively adjustable to each other. Since Fig. 2 and Figs. 3 and 4 are taken in opposite directions, the cams appear to rotate oppositely but this is merely because they are viewed from opposite sides. In Fig. 2 the rotation is in a counterclockwise direction while in Figs. 3 and 4 it is in a clockwise direction. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 2 that when the shaft 28 has rotated approximately 45 degrees further the roller pivoted at 36 will drop, due to the cut-away portioyi of the cam 43 and this will permit the contact 37 to come into engagement with the contact 30 thus completing the circuit to the binding post 39. Similarly, when the shaft has rotated about seventy degrees from the position shown in Fig. 3 the roller will drop into the cut-away portion of the cam member 44 and this will permitthe contact-37 to engage the contact 30, closing this circuit for a short time. As the shaft rotates a few degrees further the portion 46 of the cam 45 will engage the roller and lift the arm 34, breaking the circuit be tween the contacts 30 and 37, as will be understood. Circuit through thcse contacts will now remain open until the shaft has rotated 180 degrees from where the circuit was previously closed when the roller will again drop from the cam member 44, permitting the contacts 30 and 37 to be again together for a short time. Their separation will be accomplished when the portion 47 of the cam member 45 strikes the roller connected to the arm 34. It will be seen from this, that the con tacts 30 and 37 of this circuit will open and close twice during each rotation of the shaft 28. On the other hand, with the cams shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the circuit will be opened and closed only once during each rotation of the shaft. It will of course be understood that any desired cams may be substituted for those here shown, as well as any desired number of brackets, switches and controlling cams. lVhile I have shown three switch mechanisms, it'will be understood that the arrangement illustrated-is for use merely in a particular arrangement and for a particular place, the present arrangement being designed for controlling street traffic signals. In this arrangement'the switch mechanism shown in Fig. 3 would control the amber lights, while the arrangements shown in Figs. 2 and 4 would control the red and green lights. It will also be understood that this mechanism is capable of controlling signal lights at railway crossings by making proper modifications thereof.

Connecting-the projections 31 of brackets 29 with the portion 33 of the lever 32 is a pivot 48 which is surrounded by a coil spring 49 whose function is to normally-bias the lever 32 toward circuit closing position. This gives a positive closing action to the switches so that an undue amount of friction at the'pivot point will not cause the switches'to remain open.

Also mounted upon the shaft 28 are ratchet wheels 50 which are engaged by pawls 51 carried by members 52 loosely mounted upon the shaft. These members 52 are connected by links 53 to the walking beam 23 and are therefore caused tooscillate about theshaft 28% the walking beain'rocks first in one direction and then the other; 'A spring 54 mounted upon the member 52 holds the pawl 51 in engagement with'the ratchet 50. It will be seen from the foregoing that the shaft will headvanced first by actionof one pawl and ratchet and then by the other.

As indicated above, the number of switches and actuating cams may be varied as desired. For example, if it is considered desirable to use a warning bell or horn to call attention to a change in thelightaan additional switch, actuating cam and terminal 39 may be placed at the left of the switch indicated at the left side of Fig. 1. One side'of this warning device will be connected to the contact 40 and the other side to the additional contact to be installed above the switch. The lower contact 30 of the switch will then be connected to the bracket 18, as will all other contacts 30. This switch will be actuated in the same manner as are the other switches by the use of suitably adjusted cams.

The cam actuating mechanism for the switches is considered an important part of this invention, the possibility of adjusting the cam element-s with respect to each other being considered especially important. If desired, the cam shaft may be operated by a small motor instead of the mechanism here shown. Another important feature of this invention is the cooperation of gravity and the springs 49 in causing the closure of the switches. Attention is also called to the fact that the switch contacts are of silver, which results very materially in the reduction of corrosion due to arcing.

It will of course be understood thatthe specific description of structure set forth above may be departed from without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in this specification and the appended claims.

' Having now described my invention, I claim':

1. Circuit control mechanism for controlling a plurality of circuits in adjustable timed relation, comprising a switch for each circuit, an adjustable cam for each switch, a rotatable shaft carrying the cams, a plurality of ratchets connected to said shaft to rotate same in one direction only and substantially continuously, pawls cooperating with said ratchets to cause actuation thereof, and an electromagnetically actuated rocking beam connected to the pawls to actuate same and thereby actuate the shaft.

2. Circuit control mechanism for controlling a plurality of circuits in adjustable timed relation, comprising a switch for each circuit, the contacting faces of the switches being of silver, an adjustable cam for each switch, each cam comprising a plurality of relatively adjustable notched plates, means for holding the plates in adjusted position, a rotatable shaft carrying the rotating cams to actuate the switches in one direction, and oscillating magnetic means operating to actuate the shaft substantially continuously and in one direction only.

3. Circuit control mechanism for controlling a plurality of circuits, comprising a switch for each circuit, resilient means to actuate the switches in one direction, a cam to actuate each switch in the opposite direc tion, the cams being relatively adjustable and comprising relatively adjustable plates, a rotatable shaft carrying and rotating the cams, a pair of electromagnets, a walking beam actuated thereby and connections between the walking beam and the shaft for rotating the latter upon oscillation of the walkin beam, substantially continuously and in one direction only.

4. In a control mechanism for electric circuits, a plurality of spring closed switches for controlling a like number of circuits, said switches carrying anti-friction bearings, a rotatable shaft, cams carried thereby and engaging the bearings, a pair of ratchet and pawl mechanisms carried by the shaft and adapted to transmit motion thereto, and means to advance the ratchet and pawl mechanisms alternately to rotate the shaft continuously in the same direction.

In a circuit control mechanism, connections for current feed lines, a switch element associated therewith and comprising a fixed element .and a movable element, one of the feed line connections being connected to the fixed element, a pair of electromagnets connected at one end to the fixed and movable switch elements, respecti'vely, the other terminal of one coil being connected to the other feed line connection, a second switch associated with the coils, the second terminal of the second coil'being connected to one of the elements of the last named switch, and means operating in conjunction with the second named switch for alternately opening and closing the same and thereby causing the 010s ingand opening of the same.

6. As an article of manufacture, a circuit control mechanism comprising connections for current feed lines, aswitch member associated therewith and comprising a fixed element and a movable element, one o'f-the feed line connections being'connected to the, fixed element, a pair of clectromagnets,connected at one end tothe fixed and:movable switch elements, respectively,lthe other terminal of one coil being connected to the other feed line connection, a second switch associated with the coils, the second terminal of the second coil being connected to one of the elements of the last named switch, load connections connected to the other terminal thereof, switches in the load connections, another load connection being connected to the fixed elementof the first named switch, and means operating in conjunction with the second named switch for alternately opening and closing the same and thereby causing the closing and opening of the same, in combination with means cooperating with the means for opening and closing the second switch, and actuated thereby, whereby the switches in the load connections are operated to make and break the circuits through the load connections.

7. As an article of manufacture, a circuit control mechanism comprising connections for current feed lines, a switch element associated therewith and comprising a fixed element and a movable element, one of the feed line connections being connected to the fixed element, a pair of clectromagnets connected at one end to the lined and movable switch elements, respectively, the other terminal of one coil being connected to the other feed line connection, a second switch associated with the coils, the second terminal of the second coil being connected to one of the elements of the last named switch, load connections connected to the other terminal thereof, switches in the load connections, another load connection being connected to the fixed element of the first named switch, and means operating in conjunction with the second named switch for alternately opening and closing the same and thereby causing the closing and opening of the same, in combi nation with means cooperating with the means for opening and closing the second switch, and actuated thereby, whereby the switches in the load connections are operated to make and break the circuits through the load connections, said last named means comprising actuating means for the load switches and connections between the same and the actuating means for the second named switch so'that operation of the actuating means for the second switch will cause actuation of the load switches.

8. In operating means for alternating intermittent-switches and in combination with a plurality of such switches, a pair of electromagnets, a walking beam having its ends alternately attracted by said electronmgneta, a switch actuated by said walking beam to open and close the circuit through one. of the coils, another switch opening and closing the circuit through the other coil, one. coil functioning, when energized, to open both switches, a shaft, cams carried thereby and operating in'conjunction with the switches,

connections between the walking beam and shaft whereby the latter is rotated by oscillation of the former,'said cams each ineluding a plurality of relatively adjustable members whereby the relati elengths of the open and closed periods of the switches may be varied. .l

9. In actuating mechanism for a switch, a

shaft, a walking beam pivoted adjacent there.

to, connections between the walking beam and shaft whereby oscillation of the former rotates the latter, a pair ofielectromagnets for oscillating the walking'beam and switches whereby the. electromagnets are 1 alternately energized to oscillatelthewalking beam, one

of said switches being-opened andi closedby the walking beam and the other opened :by the attraction of one of the electromagnets when energized a In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification. v.

SEVERIN SEABER-G; 

